For Canada to join the E.U., will not be an overnight act. It will take considerable time to enact; likely up to 10 years of bilateral negotiations. Canada would need to adopt all of the E.U.’s supranational laws, passed since the E.U’s creation in 1957.
To join requires unanimous approval of all 27 nations. It would likely require Canada to upgrade its social, economic and environmental rights, and replace supply management with common agricultural policy, contribute to the CO2 emissions trading scheme, and apply EU trade tariffs to third parties, including the U.S.
There are however, substantive benefits. The E.U. Is much more decentralized than the U.S. There is no European Army (although, right at this juncture, such a consideration is underway). No European taxes, no social security. And if a country wishes to leave, they may do so without a civil war, or penalty. Joining would be beneficial in may respects and it would provide membership without losing much sovereignty.
The most serious obstacle is geography. We are not part of Europe. Politically, it may well be easier than first thought. According to an Abacus Data survey 46 percent of Canadians are in favour of joining the E.U. Only 29 percent were against membership and the remainder were unsure.
Joining the E.U. Is accepted by all of Canada, whereas joining the U.K. would divide the country along French/English lines.
A second option is an alternative to full membership, such as that of Norway and Switzerland. If the Norwegian model were used, Canadians would retain all the benefits of membership, except for voting rights, including free movement of peoples.
All of these scenarios would go beyond the CETA Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Canada currently has with the E.U.
The different variants of agreement or membership require bilateral negotiations, but can deliver win-win outcomes. Unlike any future negotiations with the U.S. which are neither balanced nor reciprocal. America imposes or threatens and expects a zero-sum outcome.
However it would be both beneficial and wise for Canada to consider submitting an application now, and work to figure out the details and the style of membership, later.
Canada must change the status quo. Canadians have no interest,–none, — in remaining under America’s sphere of influence. Diversifying trade is but the beginning. Military, economic, cultural relationships and agreements are now all subject to change.
One major area of collaboration, has already changed. Military procurement. Canada has made substantive inroads with the E.U. In terms of its planning for military procurement, at a time when both Canada’s military industrial complex is growing, and the E.U.’s is also growing. A new military procurement and military membership within the upcoming new military structure of the E.U., likely to replace NATO, formally at some point in the not too distant future has now been agreed to by Canada.
Canada will join the E.U.’s military structure for the protection of Europe, and that of a sovereign Ukraine. The advantage for Canada is in the options available for buying newly available weapons systems and munitions that Canada would have procured from the U.S. in the past.
The huge sums that will be required by Canadians in order to double the size and capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces are in the process of being planned for, as are the priorities for procurement that include, a replacement for the F-35 fighter, 15 new River Class Destroyers, 12 new AIP or nuclear powered and either ballistic missile or cruise missile capable submarines, new armour, new IFV’s, new helicopters, new artillery and a new long-term strategic supply of munitions in case of war.
These procurement programs will cost more than 120 billion dollars over the next ten years, and Canada’s military share of GDP will rise to more than 2.5%.
Canada must also consider conscription if a 200,000 man army is to be realized.
Protecting Canadian Sovereignty is not cheap, but it is the much cheaper than the loss of Canadian Sovereignty.
As for trade.
North-South, will be restructured to East-West.
Canada bilateral trade will, over time, disappear, at membership in the E.U.’s common market will replace the primarily bilateral relationship that existed with the U.S.
The E.U.’s common market, being larger than that of the U.S. will also be capable of absorbing Canada’s surplus, while agreements with Asia and the global south expand.
A Canada-EU deal would allow us to explore a wealth of opportunities to free Canada from American dependence.
It is something I would personally welcome, seeing as I am reapplying for my British Citizenship as well.
One thing is certain and has changed, irreversibly.
America cannot be trusted again. It is simply a neighbour at this point. One that needs to be watched closely like the ‘offender in the neighbourhood’ flyer that has been distributed by the local police force.
After trade diversification, that is well under way, the next major change will be in Canada’s military relationship to the U.S. Canada will likely seek a much closer relationship with its former Commonwealth partners, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.
In addition, new bilateral agreements with Japan, Korea and China will continue to be forged. China is a major importer and exporter of Canadian goods, and our relationship with China is expanding rapidly in the sale of Canadian minerals, oil and gases.
And while tariffs between our two countries exist, they do so primarily because of Canada’s previous close economic integration with the United States.
It’s inevitable that as our relationship or to be more accurate, the lack of one, continues with the U.S., the dropping of tariffs will result in much better trade levels between Canada and China.
One thing is certain.
As Canada moves away from the United States, forced by the action of Donald Trump and the current American administration, Canada will not reverse or resume that relationship in the future.
The costs to Canada will have been such that no future government will take a chance on America in the future.
America, in the end, will become simply a neighbour. Not a friend. Not an ally.
America is destined to go it alone in the world.
And why not?
Extortionists usually have few friends.
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